One day the woman was stung by one of the insects and stood wailing on the doorstep. Hearing her cries, the husband left his shop and hurried towards the house. Angered, he said: “O wife! show not such a bitter face to the world; remember thou didst say to me, ‘Kill not the poor bees.’”
How can one do good to the evil? Forbearance with the wicked but increases their iniquity.
What is a dog that a dish of viands should be set before him? Command that they should give him bones. A kicking animal is best well-burdened.
If the night-watchman display humanity, no one sleeps at night for fear of thieves.
In the battle-field, the spear-shaft is worth more than a hundred thousand sugar-canes.
When thou rearest a cat, she destroys thy pigeons; when thou makest fat a wolf, he rends one who is dear to thee.
Raise not a building that has not a strong foundation; if thou dost, beware.
Discourse concerning Kindness to Orphans
Protect him whose father is dead; remove the dust from his raiment, and injure him not. Thou knowest not how hard is his condition; no foliage is there on a rootless tree. Give not a kiss to a child of thine own in the sight of a helpless orphan. If the latter weep, who will assuage his grief? If he be angered, who will bear his burden? See that he weeps not, for the throne of God trembles at the orphan’s lament. With pity, wipe the tears from his eyes and the dust from his face. If the protecting shadow of his father’s care be gone, cherish him beneath the shadow of thy care.